Jalen Kindle enters his second year as a full-time assistant for Otterbein in the fall of 2024, helping coach the linebackers while earning a promotion to Special Teams Coordinator. He also serves as as Academic Coordinator and advisor within the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
During his inaugural year, the defensive unit ranked fourth in the Ohio Athletic Conference in both passing yards allowed per game (199.7) and interceptions (13), while also notching a top-half finish in sacks. Two of his linebackers (Bobby Buckler and Tayon Howard) ranked Top 10 in the OAC for tackling
In addition to those marks on the field, nine Cardinals made the Academic All-OAC list for efforts in the classroom and Kindle was later selected to attend the 2024 NCAA Effective Facilitation Workshop in Las Vegas over the summer.
Kindle transitioned to Otterbein after spending just over one year at Division II Alderson Broaddus University in Philippi, W Va. There, he oversaw the Battlers’ linebacking unit while also serving as director of player development and outreach. He helped guide All-MEC linebacker Michael Schweinefuss during his lone season.
Prior to that, Kindle began his coaching career at his alma mater (University of Delaware) as a defensive quality control and assistant linebackers coach. He was part of a staff that reached the FCS playoffs and helped three players make the National Football League, where they now start for their respective teams.
In the spring of 2020, Delaware advanced all the way to the FCS semifinals while ranking among the national leaders in multiple categories; third in scoring defense (14.4), third in turnover margin (1.38), fourth in total defense (239.4) and fourth in passing defense (118.4).
Kindle was a linebacker himself during a lengthy playing career, competing five seasons from 2013-17 for the Blue Hens. He was notably a semifinalist for the Bill Campbell Trophy, otherwise known as the “Academic Heisman” awarded to the college football player with the best combinations of academics, community service an on-field performance.
During his college years, Kindle’s highlights also included becoming a CAA Academic All-Conference selections, the CAA Chuck Boone Leadership Award, Newark Elks Club Scholar-Athlete Award, FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team nominee, and being a finalist for the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Community Service.
He was also a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), serving as a liaison between Delaware’s student-athletes and administration and coordinating community service events including Reps for Kids, Special Olympics and UDance (B+ Foundation).
Kindle played high school football at Fleming Island in Florida, and is originally a native of Champaign, Ill.
